Internal combustion engine



1943. P. 5. DE BEAUMONT 2,309,170

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 18, 1940 INVENTOR. Pierre Stuart defleumwllf JZMVM ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1943 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Pierre Stuart dc Beaumont, Grosse Pointe, Mich.,

assignor to Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application December 18, 1940, Serial N0. 370,605

18 Claims.

This invention relates to engines and more particularly to engine fuel feeding systems.

Fuel feeding systems for automobile engines are usually equipped with a thermostatic device for controlling the choke valve so that the fuel mixture will be enriched when the engine is started cold. Such devices are usually arranged in thermal contact with the engine and function to hold the choke valve in its most closed position until the engine temperature rises to some predetermined degree whereupon the choke valve opens. The thermostatic devices are usually calibrated to open the valve at a temperature most suitable for starting the engine while idling and when the engine is used to drive the vehicle before the choke valve opens the fuel mixture will contain an oversupply of gasoline making it unsuitable for the best operating conditions. Thus when the vehicle is driven with the choke valve substantially closed, either the drive will be jerky, because of unvaporized fuel causing inefficient power development, or the engine will stall. Likewise, if the thermostatic device is calibrated for opening to suit vehicle driving conditions, startin of the engine while idling will be impaired because the fuel mixture will be too lean.

An object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic control device for an engine choke valve that regulates the fuel mixture to suit both idling and driving conditions when starting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic device for controlling engine choke valve operation that will be responsive to two heat agents.

Another object of the invention is to control a thermostatically actuated choke valve for an engine fuel feeding system through means of heat developed by the engine and an auxiliary system under control of engine operating conditions.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an internal combustion engine having the invention incorporated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one form the thermostatic control device can take for actuating the choke valve operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing another form the control device can take;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing a modified form of choke valve control mechanlsm;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of 55 a vacuum controlled switch employed in the control system shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawing by characters of reference, a conventional form of internal combustion engine It) for motor vehicles has been illustrated and on one side thereof is arranged a conventional exhaust manifold H and fuel intake manifold l2. The fuel, consisting of gasoline and air, is mixed in a conventional carburetor l3 and is fed downwardly through conduit M to the intake manifold. The exhaust manifold outlet l5 travels through a stove or heater casing which surrounds the junction of the inlet conduit M with the intake manifold l2 in a conventional manner so that the incoming charge will be heated by the exhaust. Air enters the carburetor l3 through a conduit l'l connected with a cleaner 9 and in this conduit is arranged an air choke valve l8 mounted to swing with a shaft l9 that is pivotally mounted on the conduit.

'Ilhe choke valve is actuated automatically by a device which includes operating mechanism consisting of an arm 20 fixed to the shaft IS, a link rod 2| pivotally connected to the arm and an anchored heat responsive member 22. The link is arranged to be moved in a vertical direction to open and close the choke valve by the heat responsive member which can be of bimetallic form and anchored at one end to a stationary base 23. This base can be fixed in a casing 24 that is se cured on the engine or it can be fixed directly to the engine in any suitable manner.

An auxiliary heating system is arranged in thermal relation with the member 22 and includes a heating agent that may be in the form of a coil 25 that encircles a portion of the bimetallic member. The coil is preferably arranged to be connected with the engine electrical system in which there is the battery 26, an ignition control switch 21 and a main conductor line 28 leading to the engine ignition system. The coil 25 is connected with conductor line 28 b a conductor line 29 in which is arranged a control switch 30.

It will be noted that the heating system is connected with the ignition system so that it can only be energized when the ignition switch 2! is closed and therefore there can be no drain on the battery by the heating coil except when the ignition system is on. The switch 30, for the electric heating system-can be operated in various ways but it is preferred that it be connected to be responsive to an engine operating condition and preferably by vacuum or pressure in the inthe inlet intake m'-.-1ifold through means of a port 34 in the manifold. The insulated switch terminals 35 and 35 extend through the casing wall and are connected with contact switch members 31 and 38 within the compartment of the casing in communication with the intake manifold. The contact member 38 is insulated from but fixed to the manifold so that it can be engaged and disengaged by contact member 31 fixed to the diaphragm which is responsive to pressure conditions in the casing 3 I Thus the switch contact members will be engaged when there is sub-atmospheric pressure in the manifold and will be disengaged when there is atmospheric pressure in the manifold.

As shown in Fig. 2, contact 39 is fixed to and insulated from heat responsive member 22 and coil 25 is connected to such contact. This contact is arranged to make and break with a grounded contact 40. Contact 40 may be stationary and carried within the casing 24 but it is preferably mounted on a resilient support 4| that is fixed at one end to a base 42, the contact 40 being grounded through the resilient support 4| and the base 42.

When the ignition switch 21 is closed and the engine is started there is sub-atmospheric pressure in the intake manifold so contact member 31 will be moved by the diaphragm against contact member 38. The bimetallic actuator member 22 will normally lie substantially horizontal, so that the choke valve will be in open position, but as soon as the coil 25 heats up the thermal effect upon the member 22 will cause it to bend and thereby operate the link 2| swinging the arm is to open the choke valve. Such movement of the thermostatic member will break engagement of contact 39 with contact 40 to thereby deenergize the heating coil. This breaking of the heating circuit will not occur immediately upon movement of the thermostatic element because the resilient support is arranged to cause the contact 40 to travel with the contact 39 over a portion of its movement and in this manner the timing of the breaking of the heating circuit, in the range of movement of the actuator member, can be regulated as desired. It will be understood of course that when the engine is started the choke valve will be opened to a small extent by suction in the intake system but the thermostatic device will retain the choke valve in cracked relation until the control mechanism is thermostatically actuated to open the same.

The thermostatic control member 22, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, is mounted in casing 24 and this casing is connected with a source of engine developed heat through suitable means, such as a conduit 44, leading to a chamber 45 in the stove l through which fresh air can be drawn and heated by the exhaust. The rear wall of casing 24 has a port 50 therethrough to assist the movement of heated air. This engine developed heat and the heat developed by coil 25 of the electric system provide two heating agents that act jointly upon the bimetallic member 22 to control its actuation. Thus, through the use of the electrical heating system, the choke valve will be opened sooner than it would be if only engine developed heat were utilized to cause actuation of the thermostatic member. Through such Joint use of two sources of heat for controlling the choke valve, the air supply to the carburetor will be controlled to provide a mixture that more nearly suits the engine operating requirements when the vehicle is operated by the engine before it has fully warmed up. This arrangement of the control will prevent the accumulation of excess liquid gasoline in the intake manifold, under the circumstances Just related, and therefore it will prevent engine gallop or stalling which would occur if only the engine developed heat control were used.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 2 and differs therefrom mainly in the means utilized for controlling current flow through the heating coil 25. Instead of the spring mounting for the contact 40 in Fig. 2, it is proposed to provide an extended contact 39 insulated from but fixed to member 22 that engages with a grounded resistance element 45 which may take different forms to provide a desired effect. In this form of invention, the timing for the heating up period of the coil is prolonged, and the breaking of the heating circuit is regulated by the resistance element rather than by a spring mounting as previously described. It will be understood that in both forms of the invention this timing can be readily varied to suit the engine operating conditions with which the device is associated.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated another form the invention may take, and in this showing the bimetallic actuator member 22 is not subjected to engine developed heat for its operation. In this instance the heating coil 25 of an electrical system similar to that previously described encircles the actuator member and this coil is connected to a contact 50 mounted on an insulated stationary base 5|. The energization of the coil is under control of means responsive to engine developed temperature which can include an abutment element in the form of a rod 52 slidable through a grounded base 53 and carrying a contact 54 arranged to engage with contact 50. This rod is mounted on a bimetallic thermostatic actuator member 55 that is anchored at one end to a support 55. Such support and the actuator member can be contained in but insulated from casing 51 fixed to and in thermal relation with exhaust manifold il.

When the bimetallic member 22 is cold it will lie in the position shown and contact 54 will engage contact 50 to thereby establish a circuit through heating coil 25 when the ignition switch and the vacuum switch are closed. As the coil heats up to a certain degree, the contact end of member 22 will swing across, and as soon as sufficient heat is developed in the exhaust manifold to bend the bimetallic member 55, the rod 52 will be pushed into the path of movement of the actuator member 22 so that it cannot return. This movement of rod 52 will carry contact 54 away from contact 50. Thus the circuit is broken and actuator member 22 is prevented from returning to the position from which it started until the temperature within the casing 51 allows the thermostatic element 55 to retract the rod element. In starting the engine and the vehicle, heating of the coil 25 will cause the actuator member 22 to swing in a direction opening the choke valve where it is so held by the abutment rod 52 until such rod is retracted.

With the choke valve control devices herein described, the vehicle can be operated after starting the engine without a Jerky drive or engine stalling now encountered with choke devices calibrated to assist engine starting.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including a flexible heat responsive actuator member adapted to close the choke valve when cold, a source of heat developed by the engine exhaust gas, and a source of electrically developed heat, said sources of heat being arranged to act upon and thermally jointly control the flexing of said actuator member to open said valve after starting the engine.

2. An ngine choke valve controlling device comprisi g valve operating mechanism including a flexible heat responsive actuator member adapted to close the valve when cold, 9. source of heat developed by the engine exhaust gas in thermal connection with said member, and an electric heating coil in thermal connection with said member, said source of heat and said coil jointly controlling operation of said actuator member to open the valve after starting the engine.

3. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including an anchored bimetallic heat responsive member adapted to close the valve when cold, a source of engine developed heat, and a source of electrically developed heat, said sources of heat being arranged to jointly thermally flex said actuator member to open said valve after starting the engine.

4. In an engine having a fuel intake manifold, a choke valve controlling device comprising operating mechanism including a heat responsive actuator member, a source of engine developed heat in thermal connection with said member, an electric heating system in thermal contact with said member, and a control for energizing and deenergizing the electric heating system responsive to pressure changes in the engine intake manifold.

5. In an engine having a fuel intake manifold, a choke valve controlling device comprising valve rocking mechanism including a flexible heat responsive member adapted to effect closing of the valve when the engine is cold, an electrical heating system in thermal relation to flex said actuator member, and means responsive to pressure conditions in the intake manifold controlling the energizing and deenergizing of said electrical heating system.

6. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including a heat responsive actuator means, an electrical heating system operative to actuate said means, means controlling the energizing and deenergizing of said system, and means retarding the eifect of said heating system on said actuator means in the valve opening operations.

'7. A choke valve controlling device for engines having an intake manifold and an electric ignition system comprising valve rocking mechanism including a flexible heat responsive actuator member, an electrical heating system connected with the engine ignition system in thermal relation to flex said actuator member, and a switch for energizing and deenergizing said heating system responsive to pressure conditions in said manifold.

8. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including a heat responsive actuator member, an electrical heating system in thermal relation with said member, resistance means in said system retarding the thermal effect on said member, and switch means operable to control said electrical system.

9. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including a heat responsive actuator member, an electrical heating system including wiring coiled around said member in thermal relation therewith, resistance means in contact with said coiled wiring, and engine pressure means controlling said electrical heating system.

10. An engine choke valve controlling device comprising valve operating mechanism including a heat responsive actuator member, an electrical heating system in thermal relation with said member including a make and break contact having one portion movable with said member and a spring mounted anchored portion movable a limited extent in contact with the first mentioned portion, and a switch operable to control current flow to said coil.

11. In an engine fuel controlling device, a choke valve, operating mechanism connected to the valve including an anchored bimetallic member, a contact fixed to the free end of the member, an electrical heating coil around the member connected to the contact, a grounded spring mounted contact arranged to follow the contact on the member during a portion of its movement with the member, and means operable to control current flow to said coil.

12. In an engine fuel control device, a choke valve, mechanism connected to operate said valve including an anchored heat responsive member, an electrical heating system in thermal relation with said member, and abutment means responsive to a predetermined engine developed heat for retaining the member in position whereby the valve is held open.

13. In an engine fuel control device, a choke valve, mechanism connected to operate said valve including a heat responsive member, an electrical systeni in thermal relation with said member and including an abutment element movable into and out of the path of movement of said member, and means responsive to engine developed heat for actuating said abutment element.

14. In an engine fuel control device, a choke valve, mechanism connected to operate said valve including a bimetallic member anchored at one end, an electrical heating coil encircling said member, a rod movable into the path of movement of said member, a stationary contact connected to said coil, a grounded contact fixed to said rod adapted to engage said stationary.

contact when in retracted position, and thermostatic actuator means for moving said rod into and out of the path of movement of said member, and to make and break the engagement of said contacts, said actuator being responsive to engine developed heat.

15. In an engine having an exhaust manifold, an electric ignition system and a fuel feeding system controlled by a choke valve, means for controlling said choke valve comprising linkage connected to operate the choke valve, an anchored thermostat actuator connected to the linkage and normally holding the linkage in valve closing position when the engine is dead, an electric heating system in thermal contact with the thermostat actuator, said heating system being connected in circuit with the ignition system, and a medium responsive to heat in the exhaust manifold in thermal contact with the thermostat actuator, said electric system and said medium acting thermally directly on said thermostat actuator to open said choke valve after starting the engine.

16. In an engine, choke valve operating means comprising a thermostat, a heating coil carried by said thermostat, and means for electrically energizing said coil including a switch having a contact movable with the thermostat, said thermostat moving said contact to break the circuit to the heating coil when moving in valve opening direction.

17. In an engine fuel controlling system, a choke valve, mechanism connected to rock the choke valve including an anchored thermostat around the member and connected at one end to the contact, an electric current conductor connected to the other end of the coil, a grounded contact adapted to be engaged by the contact fixed to the member when the engine is relatively cold, said thermostat member moving the contact fixed thereon away from the grounded contact to break the coil circuit when subjected to a predetermined temperature, and a control switch in the conductor.

18. In an engine having an exhaust manifold, an electric ignition system and a fuel feeding system controlled by a choke valve, means (or controlling said choke valve comprisingmechamember, a contact fixed to the free end ofthe member, an electric heating coil extending nism including an actuator member flexible in response to temperature and adapted to hold the valve in cloud position when the engine is dead. an electric heating system in thermal contact with the thermostat actuator, said heating system being connected in circuit with the ignition system, and a medium responsive to heat in the exhaust manifold in thermal relation with the thermostat actuator, said electric system and said medium acting thermally on said thermostat actuator to open said choke valve after starting the engine.

' PIERRE STUART as BEAUMONT.

Pd'tent 8'0. 3,309,170.

Jaziuary 2 6, 9 4 3 CERTIFICATE OF commcmon.

' rmn m: swan: do muuom. 11.: is hereby certified that; error appears in the printed epecifleati ,of :he abo ve numbered patent requiring correction ea fo'llqws: Page 3 f1rat celimm, line 19,' claim 1, before 'act' ins ert- -jeintly-- 1ine 20; seme claim, strike out; "jointly"; and ths.t the said Lett zera- Peltent should be read wifhthia cerrection therein that the same may conform to-the reeord of the case in the Patent Offiee. I Sigzed and eealedjhis 16th day of March, A. 1914},

Henry vgu z A rsdale,

($9811) Acting Commissioner of Patehts. 

